11 Annual Flowers You Can Reseed
By definition, perennial flowers come back on their own, year after year. Annual flowers usually do not do this and only last for a season. Except that some annual flowers, given the right conditions, can reseed themselves every year. This doesn’t make them perennials – these flowers are less reliable, and because they are reseeded rather than re-sprouted like perennials, they can (and quite likely) appear in a completely different area than the original plant. Despite their desire to rally against garden formality, self-sowing annuals can go a long way toward increasing the volume of flowers in your garden and helping you create the kind of hands-free flower beds that perennials promise.
Which flowers will plant on their own largely depends on your planting zone and planting conditions. For example, petunias are known for self-seeding in some regions, but I have had great luck with them regardless of the zone I was in. The same goes for space, which should theoretically self-seed in the zone in which I live. now (and I, of course, plant them liberally as annuals).
All this to see that while I may make some promises, these 11 plants are prone to self-seeding.
Sweet alyssum
Sweet alyssum is one of those flowers that should be planted throughout the garden (along with marigolds and nasturtiums) because they are plant helpers: alyssum attracts parasitic wasps, hoverflies and ladybugs, which are your main beneficial garden insects, and looks spectacular . falling over the edges of the beds. Although lavender, pink and blue alyssum have become available in recent years, it is only the white alyssum that I have been able to reseed into the giant puffballs that decorate my garden.
Amaranth
If you plantamaranth once, it will live in your garden forever. Even if you don’t, birds will drop seeds into your yard, and it’s likely that what you perceive as a weed may actually be amaranth. This is a gorgeous, showy flower that drapes in bouquets, and if you’re willing to stay on top of it, it’s a worthwhile addition, but be careful that it doesn’t take over.
Asters
There are many species of asters , and there may be asters in your area. They range from small to large flowers with petals that expand like the sun’s rays. They tend to appear late in the summer season and may persist into the fall. The main problem with them is their ability to spread prolifically: every year I reluctantly give up more and more of my yard to the Douglas asters that spread throughout it.
bachelor’s buttons
For blue self-seeding in your garden , bachelor’s buttons are a good addition. Thistle flowers are prickly and have one interesting feature: they contain a compound that will temporarily numb your tongue if you chew it (they are otherwise harmless). I’m always happy to offer visitors to my garden a try.
Calendula
Not to mention, calendula can be harvested and used in soothing remedies, lotions, and oils. In the garden, this orange-yellow daisy flower repels tomato worms and attracts beneficial insects. Calendula is one of the few flowers in this class (which includes daisies, coneflowers and zinnias, all of which have the classic “flower” shape) that self-seed.
California poppies
Most poppies self-seed, although in my experience the seed yield for planting is absurdly low—I’ve produced a few poppy plants in five years after throwing millions of seeds into my yard. But California poppies are special: they self-seed, spread, and are so distinctive that people flock to their “superflowers” from all over the world. Common poppies tend to be tall, up to four or five feet, but the bright orange California poppy reaches a height of about a foot from the soil line.
Cleome
Cleome was such a pleasure to discover a few years ago while entertaining. A delightful fountain of flowers, it’s a magnet for hummingbirds. Called “spider flowers,” the stem grows tall and produces a fireworks display of flowers, usually in shades of pink and purple, at the top. Cleome can get a little inflexible, so when you see it pop up, be sure to support it.
Carnation
Cloves on their own aren’t all that stunning. This low-lying flower spreads almost like a ground cover. But what can turn the carnation into a spectacle is planting several of its flowers in blankets of color, creating a woven effect. It’s also worth noting that while you’ll typically use the color of a carnation, some varieties have some really striking detail on the very surface of the flower.
Nigella
Nigella , also called ‘Love in the Mist’, has a lovely vintage look, with dusty flowers and delicate petals, and is easy for me to sow on its own. But the best reason to grow it is for its dried seed pods, little architectural wonders that are stunning in bouquets.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons are one of the most welcome sights in my garden every summer, and in good years they come back on their own. If you’re consistent with your cut flowers, you’ll end up with strong, bushy varieties topped with successive spikes of cut-and-return flowers (like the ones in the photo at the top of this article). There are varieties that reach almost four feet tall, and the snaps can really fill up space.
Sweet peas
I remember reading about sweet peas in Martha Stewart’s magazine as a child, but I lived well outside their growing zone and had to settle for dreams of one day planting them. Now these are the first flowers I plant every spring. Although the flowers and seeds are highly toxic to humans and pets, if you ask me, the scent of sweet peas is more fragrant than any other flower. They can grow up to six or seven feet on the vine, coming in colors across the spectrum. The flowers are delicate but would make the perfect fleeting bouquet for a day or two. You will need to cut them back often, but at the end of the season, allow the seed pods to form and fall into the soil so they will return next year.